|  | 2.4 | The Spanning-Tree Protocol
| 2.4.2 | Describe the five spanning-tree protocol states
The Spanning-Tree Protocol states are as follows: Blocking-No frames forwarded, BPDUs heard Listening-No frames forwarded, listening for frames Learning-No frames forwarded, learning addresses Forwarding-Frames forwarded, learning addresses Disabled-No frames forwarded, no BPDUs heard The state for each VLAN is initially set by the configuration and later modified by the Spanning-Tree Protocol process. You can determine the status, cost, and priority of ports and VLANs by using the show spantree command. After the port-to-VLAN state is set, Spanning-Tree Protocol determines whether the port forwards or blocks frames. Ports can be configured to immediately enter Spanning-Tree Protocol forwarding mode when a connection is made, instead of following the usual sequence of blocking, learning, and then forwarding. The capability to quickly switch states from blocking to forwarding rather than going through the transitional port states is useful in situations where immediate access to a server is required.
| Lab Activity
| This lab will provide an opportunity to configure a switch for IP and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) access. By assigning an IP address to the switch you will be able to ping it and Telnet to it. You will also be able to use your workstation browser (Netscape or Internet Explorer) to connect to the switch and check switch settings and port statistics.
| Web Links
| Configuring Spanning Tree